Chester After His Scaling & Aural Hematoma Surgery

Very long post.

Prelude:
On Sunday night while giving Chester his final massage of the night I found a swelling on his right ear. I checked for scar bite but they were none. Panic!!! EEEE Oooo EEE Ooo! Immediately I go look for my dog bible (Caring for Your Dog) and found that Chester’s ear condition is known as hematoma.

We brought him to the vet the next day. The doctor suggested antibiotic medication since it’s a small hematoma. Because I wanted Chester to undergo scaling (his teeth is really bad), might as well remove his hematoma by surgery because he’ll be konked out during the scaling procedure. Besides there’s no guarantee medication can reduce swelling.

We couldn’t have the surgery on Monday because Chester need to fast first. So we set for Tuesday.

Present:
I was worried sick after leaving Chester with the vet. From 10am to 4pm… I was so wrecked. I kept envisioning Chester will not wake up after the sedation. To make matter worse the vet told me that his heart is not really strong. Aiyooo… The vet told us that she will administer a mild sedation on Chester. So for 6 HOURS I waited in the house. Finally I cannot stand anymore. I called the vet to see how he’s doing at around 3.30pm.

The vet said he’s up already but still groggy and he’s biting the cage to get out. *hahaha* She said she will call around 6pm when it’s time to fetch Chester home.

But waisehhh man 1/2 hour later I received a call from the vet. She asked to take him home now because he’s very unsettle in there. He got his teeth stuck at the cage a few times and he’s barking non-stop. Yeah Chester is coming home!!! I felt something lift from my shoulder. 🙂

We settled his bill before bringing him out of his boarding place. Scaling = RM100, aural hematoma = RM180 plus blood test, medication and vitamins for his heart and kidney…. the bill totaled up to nearly RM550.

Before scaling. Yucky!! Plaques & tartars.

I know it’s still yellowish but plaque & tartar no more! Vet said he has developed slight gingivitis. So sorry! Chester, I promise I will brush your teeth everyday.

According to the doc, Chester’s hematoma condition might be due to tick because she found a tick in his ear. He might have scratch his ear too hard causing a rupture to his ear’s blood vessel. SHIT! Tick again. I know! I know! Just few days ago I murdered quite a few ticks from Chester’s neck and buttocks area.

The doctor told me that when he gave Chester 1/2 doses of the normal sedation he’s still wide awake. She had to give him 3 more times!!! That also eh she said while she’s doing the scaling and aural hematoma surgery his tail was moving and his ear flapping. Aiyo Chester Chester. 😀

Chester look out of sort the moment he stepped out of his pen. He was panting VERY VERY heavy and he looked very weak. So weak that he couldn’t climb up the car. His legs are shaking. Oh my. All the way home I was so worried. Will he pengsan? His panting… I’ve never heard anything like this before.

When we got home, we have to carry his down from the car. Wash his shaking legs and brought him inside. Gave him water and milk since he’s panting heavily. He vomited thrice. I know we shouldn’t give him anything to drink since the sedation effect is still there but aiyo how can we not when he has nothing to eat for 16 hours. 2 hours later around 6pm, we gave him some food with milk. He finished it all. Yahoo!!! Still his panting is really scary. It’s like we can hear his heart’s opening and closing through his loud panting.

His panting didn’t ease through the night. Since he was so weak we let him potty in the house. Wahlau his urine is dark yellow. Luckily he still has strength to squat. He didn’t do any ‘big business’. He couldn’t really get up actually. We have to help him… pushing his tummy and buttocks up.

Today Wednesday morning, thank god his panting is no more. Still a little heavy breathing. He managed to finished his food and medicine once again. He can even go potty outside with a little help from us pushing him up. Yeah his legs are still a bit weak. I guess because of not eating anything for like 18 hours previous day!?! He didn’t walk much outside. As I was cleaning his paws before coming in, his legs are all wobbly again. And the way he walk is very funny. It’s like something is sticking out from his buttocks. Haha dunno how to explain.

He’s resting now. Funny he didn’t wince when I touch and clean his ear wound.

Hematoma on his right ear (before surgery). Can’t really see it in this picture.

All stitched up! Kesiaann

Yeah incision through the ear flap.

I called Chester ‘Ah Kong’ because he’s like an old man…legs shaking and all. Still can smile cheekily. 💓

We’ll go back to the vet 10 days later to remove his stitches. Will also administer his kidney and heart condition.